Inequality Constitutes a Particular Place

Abstract

Riot draws the landscape around it into unique focus. In the USA, in late 2011 and early 2012, hundreds of tent cities were erected, in protest more than as modern-day Hoovervilles. The global Occupy movement spread to the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral. Across Europe, there was anger and turmoil. In a few places there was rioting, including places that had thought themselves largely immune. Violent clashes played out on the streets of Athens and Madrid as responses to externally imposed ‘restructuring’ from the troika of the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the UK, many people asked why a large number, but tiny proportion, of mostly young people rioted in August 2011. Many have also questioned the part that rising inequalities could have played in making a number of people poorer and for some to become angry.

Keywords

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This chapter is primarily drawn from Dorling, D. (2012). Inequality Constitutes a Particular Place. Social and Cultural Geography, 13(1), 1–9. It is also informed by Dorling, D. and Lee, C. (2011). The Geography of Poverty. Socialist Review, October.

Ministry of Justice (2012). Statistical Bulletin on the Public Disorder of 6th to 9th August 2011–September 2012 Update. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal-justice-stats/public-disorder-stats/august-public-disorder-stats-bulletin-130912.pdf.

Singleton, A. (2011b). What are the Neighbourhood Conditions of Those Appearing on Riot-related Charges? Retrieved from http://www.alex-singleton.com/what-are-the-neighbourhood-conditions-of-those-appearing-on-riot-related-charges/.